Abroad101: Study Abroad Reviews

A safe and calm nature retreat for a semester December 31, 2023

By (Economics, Wellesley College) - abroad from 08/19/2023 to 12/15/2023 with

DIS Stockholm Semester

What did you gain/learn from your experience abroad? Was it worthwhile?
I learned about how to live in the Swedish culture and what elements I could bring back to the states.

Personal Information

How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? 2 weeks - 1 month

Review Your Program

* Overall educational experience

Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc.

The classes are pretty easy in general. The teachers are often too busy to help since they have other jobs in addition to teaching.

* Host Country Program Administration

On-site administration of your program

They are very available and eager to help!

* Housing:

How satisfied were you with your living arrangements?

Staying in a host family was the best decision I made.

* Food:

My host made great food. Also, Stockholm has good lunch deals.

* Social & Cultural Integration:

How integrated did you feel with the local culture?

Swedish people are pretty private unless you know them already so it can be hard to integrate. Staying with a host and going to SSIF classes can help.

* Health Care:

How well were health issues addressed during the program?

There is an amazing partnered doctor that is really easy to see (and it's free). The healthcare is great!!

* Safety:

I felt very safe.

If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? Yes

I loved the class options and included free trips. DIS made it so easy to do the program by handling all the logistics. I will stay in touch with my host family for life!

Finances

* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?

(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost)

Not including program expenses, about how much money did you spend on food and other expenses each week? $30
Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? Find lunch deals!

Language

* Did your program have a foreign language component? No

Other Program Information

* Where did you live?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you live with?

Select all that apply

  • Host Family
* Who did you take classes with?

Select all that apply

  • Americans
  • Other
About how many local friends did you make that you will likely keep in touch with?

A Look Back

* What did you like most about the program?
  • My host family
  • How helpful and caring DIS is
  • How easy the classes were
* What could be improved?
  • If the faculty were less busy
  • If host students got money to buy some of their own groceries
  • If there was less group work (especially essays)
* What do you know now that you wish you knew before going on this program? You can just speak English. I was stressed about arriving and getting lost, but if you ask locals for help, they will!

Reasons For Studying Abroad

To help future students find programs attended by like-minded individuals, please choose the profile that most closely represents you.
The Avid Adventurer
The wardrobe you packed was better suited for a semester of camping than club hopping. Outdoorsy, you might forgo a crazy night out for an early all-day adventure. You'd rather take in the rich culture of an old town than the metropolis of a modern city, but for you getting off the grid is ideal.